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with Yvonne MaffeiTue, 31 Mar 2015 03:08:14 +0000en-UShourly1http://wordpress.org/?v=4.1.1Teaching Kids About Eid ul Adhahttp://myhalalkitchen.com/sharing-eid-ul-adha-with-kids/
http://myhalalkitchen.com/sharing-eid-ul-adha-with-kids/#commentsThu, 10 Oct 2013 16:51:26 +0000http://myhalalkitchen.com/?p=15498The following post comes to us all the way from Doha, Qatar where our friend and partner in creating the Sweet Dawah™ Kit line of products at her company, Silver Envelope, Raana Smith lives. Photo Courtesy of Silver Envelope As we move in to the last 10 days leading up to Eid al-Adha, we notice ...

]]>The following post comes to us all the way from Doha, Qatar where our friend and partner in creating the Sweet Dawah™ Kit line of products at her company, Silver Envelope, Raana Smith lives. Photo Courtesy of Silver Envelope

As we move in to the last 10 days leading up to Eid al-Adha, we notice a flurry of things going on, as is typical this time of year:

One common theme to the emails hitting our inbox: that ‘please forgive me’ letter from people trying to clear their slates before heading off to Hajj (not that there’s anything wrong with it, I wrote one myself a few years back).

Families are getting their numbers together for the udhiyya (sacrifical animal), or how many sheep they need to slaughter for this year’s sacrifice.

Whatsapp messages are hitting people’s phone with the exact start date of Dhul Hijja (the Islamic month in which the Hajj, or pilgrimage to Mecca occurs).

People are starting on a journey that most only make once in a lifetime.

It’s officially Hajj season.

I wanted to share the season with my 3 and a half year old son, Ayoub, but more importantly, wanted to help develop an understanding and love in his heart for it. While we cannot overlook the amazing rites and rituals performed during this holy journey, I decided to focus more on the story behind Hajj and its celebration. So, I plan to share Eid Al-Adha with Ayoub in 4 ways:

1. Story and activity to understand one of the reasons behind why we perform Hajj and celebrate Eid Al-Adha.

2. Baking and charity to show giving.

3. Party to celebrate!

4. Craft to remind him of the story of Ibrahim.

Over the past few days at our breakfast table, I’ve shared with Ayoub the story of Ibrahim and how Allah came to him in a dream and asked him to sacrifice his son, Ismail. When Ibrahim spoke to Ismail of his dream he agreed that his father should obey Allah’s command. And as Ibrahim was about to take his son’s life, Allah substituted a ram in Ismail’s place. To help Ayoub get a visual picture, we re-enact the scene with his Khaleeji dolls and a sheep!

Photo Courtesy of Silver Envelope

This story is a great way to start a conversation about Aqeedah: belief in Allah, obedience to Allah, and Allah’s infinite power. Belief in Allah is a tough one because it’s so abstract. For now, I want to help Ayoub understand that all of his favorite things like flowers, water, apple juice, his father, and newborn babies are Allah’s creation. No one can make those things exist except Him. And because we know that Allah is the creator of all things, including us, we love Him and listen to what He says, like Ibrahim. But the one question Ayoub always asks after the story is “where did the Ram come from?” I tell him that Allah is the Creator of all things and He can make anything happen. Allah wanted to put the ram in Ismail’s place and He did. I love the way Mehded Maryam Sinclair, author and storyteller of Miraculous Happenings in the year of the Elephant, expresses the greatness and power of our Creator: “He wanted people to know for sure that those who rely on Him are victorious. Perhaps He wanted everyone to see that if He says “Be!” it surely is.” Alhamdulillah, I feel that we’ve made a great start to helping him understand that the Hajj and celebration are more than just a party, but about commemorating an act of obedience.

Photo Courtesy of Silver Envelope

Ayoub and I prepare for our sheep-themed Eid party using products from SilverEnvelope.com, in honor of the animal that was sacrificed instead of Ismail. We invite our friends over to celebrate with us. To get ready, we bake these yummy and healthy cookies that contain no animal or dairy products! We also make these chocolate covered halal marshmallows.

Photo Courtesy of Silver Envelope

I prep our sheep craft activity to make with our friends and Ayoub helps string the banner and set the table. We wrap gifts for our loved ones and giggle with the excitement of another Eid party! And at the party, we re-tell the story of Ibrahim and make a fun sheep to remind us what this season is about.

All Photos Courtesy of Silver Envelope

All in all, InshaAllah, I feel that I’ve helped my little guy understand that Eid Al-Adha is more than just a celebration. It’s about commemorating an amazing event that occurred a very long time ago whose lesson is still as relevant today as it was then: obedience to Allah requires sacrifice and garners reward.

Contest ends today, October 10 at 10:00 PM CST. Winner will be announced ON THIS PAGE and should send an email to contact@myhalalkitchen.com with their full name, mailing address (no-P.O. Box), and phone number by 12:00 AM CST on 10/11/13.

UPDATE: And the Winner Is… Sazia Riaz

Raana Smith is the Creative Director and Founder of SilverEnvelope.com, Islamic Party and Stationery. A mom with a passion for creative design, she has been developing Islamic products since she was 8 when she wrote “Eid Mubarak” on a plain ribbon purchased at K-Mart. Since welcoming her son, Raana has taken SilverEnvelope in a new direction by adding fun kid’s products for Ramadan and the 2 Eid holidays. She lives in Doha, Qatar.